A rancher encountered a rattlesnake one day out on the range. He drew his pistol and was about to kill it when it spoke to him
"Why do you persecute me? All I can be is a snake, and all I want is to be accepted. Put away your gun and let's live and let live. "
"OK" said d the rancher.
But as soon as he holstered his pistol the snake struck at his foot and his fangs stuck in the thick leather of the rancher's work boot.

Frustrated, the snake said "you liar! You have not accepted me at all, but shod yourself in a way that would surely injure my fangs"

But the farmer said "No, I accept you for what you are, a dangerous snake, and guarded myself. Now you must accept me as I am."